David Sumberg MEP
Date:
03/03/2002
EU ARGENTINE BEEF DEAL ‘A DISGRACE’
North West Euro MEP David Sumberg has branded an EU decision to increase beef imports from Argentina – a country endemic with foot and mouth - ‘a disgrace’.
Mr Sumberg said the deal brokered by EC Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler was an example of the EU decision making at its worst.
‘I stunned at the gall and blind stupidity of this deal,’ he said. ‘It was only in January that an import ban was lifted on Argentine beef because of its endemic foot and mouth problem. Why on earth are we risking bringing the disease into the EU? Has Mr Fishler learnt nothing from the devastation that Foot and Mouth caused to Britain?
‘And surely any charity should begin at home. The EU exists to protect and enhance European interests not South Americas. In case he hadn’t noticed Argentina is not an EU member state.
‘The North West has been hammered by foot and mouth and nationally there is an estimated 900m shortfall in compensation for farmers. What kind of message is the EU sending out to farmers in the UK who are cautiously trying to rebuild their livelihoods?
‘This deal can only make it harder for North West farmers at a time when the EU should be doing all in its power to help British agriculture get back on its feet.’
NOTE: Franz Fischler’s deal with the Argentine agriculture minister grants a one-off additional quota to import 10,000 tons of Hilton beef to the EU starting in July.